Emirati women play key role in enhancing food security

The strong presence of Emirati women at the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 reflects their deeply rooted role in supporting the country’s agricultural and food development journey.

Their contributions have grown beyond mere participation, becoming a driving innovation and embedding modern agricultural practices that speak directly to the country’s future ambitions and food security goals.

Amid the pavilions, projects, and products on display, Emirati women are taking the lead, demonstrating their increasing influence in the agricultural sector.

Whether by improving local products, embracing more sustainable production methods, or turning agricultural ideas into entrepreneurial ventures with economic and social impact, their presence highlights a growing path of empowerment and meaningful contribution. It’s a trajectory shaped by a national vision that prioritises food security and sustainability.

Participants in the second edition of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition echoed this sentiment, pointing to Emirati women’s growing role in agriculture and food sectors, and new horizons for entrepreneurship tied to food security. They noted that the innovative women-led projects on display reflect a deep agricultural awareness and a remarkable ability to turn ideas into impactful initiatives.

In doing so, these women farmers are boosting the competitiveness of homegrown products and pushing the UAE closer to a food system that is both efficient and built to last.

A standout female-led initiative this year is the Shiyoukhi for dates, founded by Maitha Almehrzi. The project transforms dates into innovative and modern products while maintaining their nutritional value and promoting their place in a healthy local food culture.

Almehrzi said, “Today, Emirati women are not filling traditional roles in agriculture but come as creative minds redefining the relationship between land and people. For us, production is not an end but a starting point for building a more conscious and sustainable food system. By combining knowledge with experience, and heritage with modern technology, we turn challenges into real business models, transforming agriculture from a seasonal activity into a forward-thinking, integrated project that bolsters food security for future generations.”

Elsewhere at the exhibition, Fatma Almoosawi, Founder of Releaf By Ygnd El-Ras, brings a unique perspective on tea as a product with identity, purpose, and value. Almoosawi, the UAE’s first tea expert and the creator of the country’s first eco-friendly tea brand, is also a member of the UAE Youth Council for Entrepreneurship.

“My journey started with my family’s love of tea, but it quickly grew into a greater responsibility for what we bring to the world,” she added.

“To me, tea is not just a product but an experience that carries identity, purpose, and value. This inspired the creation of ‘Releaf,’ which blends innovation with sustainability and proves that Emirati women entrepreneurs can turn small ideas into distinctive, eco-conscious brands that look to the future without losing touch with their roots.”

The presence of women at the exhibition highlights that their empowerment in the agriculture is not just about increasing participation but also about creating broader economic and social impact.

Women-led agricultural and food projects support local products, create training and employment opportunities, and raise community awareness of the value of national production. They also grow the footprint of homegrown products in the marketplace.

Salima Alshamsi, owner of Lulu Farm and recipient of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence Award from Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, says farming has long since transcended the boundaries of production.

“Managing Lulu Farm taught me that empowering women in this sector does not just affect the success of a single project; it reaches further, touching communities through job creation, encouraging people to rely on local products, and building a more meaningful relationship between farmer and consumer,” she said.

“What we do today is part of a larger vision using resources more sustainably, contributing to food security, and embedding a culture of responsible local production.”

WAM